In the 13-year period of 2005 through 2017, canines killed 433 Americans. Pit bulls contributed to 66% (284) of these deaths. Combined, pit bulls and rottweilers contributed to 76% of the total recorded deaths. | More »

Thursday, January 31, 2008

Victim Lori Woods Speaks OutUPDATE: 1/31/07: Lori Woods wants to make sure the pit bull named Tank doesn't hurt anyone else after she was nearly killed by him -- She wants the dog put down. Last week, when visiting the dog owner's home she knelt down to grab her purse. Woods says that the dog attacked her "absolutely unprovoked, and without any warning."

The dog severely damaged Woods' eye and her head injuries required more than 100 stitches. The bleeding was so severe that she passed out on the way to the hospital. "The blood was spewing out of my head. The dog nicked a main artery," she said. Her family was told if she survived, she'd likely be blind in one eye. A week after the attack she credits much prayer for still being able to see. Her worry now comes from the thought of the dog being able to attack someone else.

Tyler Stowers, the dog's owner, wants his pet back. In yet another unconscionable act by a pit bull owner, Stowers blames the victim for the attack: "Stowers said Woods got down on all fours and went toward the dog, causing the animal to go on the defense." Like many victims of serious dog attacks, Woods asks reporters, "I can't believe someone wants to keep their dog that did this to someone. At what point do you value your dog more than somebody's life?"

Lori's insurance will not pay her medical bills. Stowers claims he will cover the costs. But this is an unlikely scenario, given that the cost may skyrocket into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

1/30/08:Dog Attack Costs Woman Her Eye, 200 Stitches
Nashville, TN - The woman, who was not identified, told officials that she was visiting the home of a friend when she bent down to pick up her purse. This is when her friend's pit bull attacked. She suffered a lost eye and 200 stitches. Metro Animal Control said it does not want the dog out on the street again. Tank, the 3-year-old pit bull, is currently in quarantine. Animal Services Director Judy Lauderbauche didn’t mince words when she described how dangerous Tank is:

"I don’t think there’s any doubt that the woman could have been killed. She's very, very fortunate that she wasn’t, even though she did sustain absolutely life-changing injuries that will take years of plastic surgery."

Tank’s owner, Tyler Stowers, visits his dog in quarantine every day and said that up until Tuesday, Tank had never attacked anyone. He was emotional as he looked at his dog in the cage. Animal Control commented they believe his tears are for his dog and not the victim.

Tennessee law has no civil provision for attacks that occur on owner property. So, once again, the victim -- who was a guest on the owner's property -- has no civil recourse.

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There seems to be a disproportionate number of dog attacks in that state.

Anonymous | 1/31/2008 3:44 PM | FlagWhy is it that we all assume that the owner of the dog is lying. The owner claims the victim got down on all fours and went toward the dog. If you are going to challenge a dog, don't have the nerve to act surprised or outraged when the dog accepts your challenge.

MAC | 1/31/2008 3:57 PM | FlagWHY would you assume Stowers would be honest? This dog owner is facing potentially serious criminal and financial liability of course he will try to deflect blame.

AND WHY WOULD YOU ASSUME THAT THIS WOMAN IS CHALLENGING THE DOG?!?!? This excuse is more insane than the aussie white trash mom.

Abstract Ethnographic interviews were conducted with 28 pit bull "owners" to explore the sociological experience of having a dog with a negative image. Results indicate that the vast majority of respondents felt that these dogs were stigmatized because of their breed. Respondents made this conclusion because friends, family, and strangers were apprehensive in the presence of their dogs and because they made accusations about the breed's viciousness and lack of predictability. In the face of this stigma, respondents resorted to using a variety of interactional strategies to lessen the impact of this perception or prevent it from occurring. These strategies included passing their dogs as breeds other than pit bulls, denying that their behavior is biologically determined, debunking adverse media coverage, using humor, emphasizing counter-stereotypical behavior, avoiding stereotypical equipment or accessories, taking preventive measures, or becoming breed ambassadors.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/l5n2p7074h721310/

Cindy | 1/31/2008 4:45 PM | FlagI hope Gov. Branson sees what he did to us when he would not pass stronger dog laws last summer.We need to be writing our senators, governor and whoever to make sure they do something about dangerous dogs this time.

Unlike Knoxville, it appears like Nashville Animal Control is trying to help and not blaming the victim.

David | 2/02/2008 11:00 AM | FlagAnonymous, I went to our city coucil to try to get them to do something, not ban any dogs, just make owners do a better job of containing them and maybe require them to have liabilty insurance. This came out on the front page of the paper. Several of these pit bull groups wrote letters. One "Responsible Dog Owners of Western States" Illinios Director, wrote a 3 page letter that named me 18 times. She even claimed there was no such thing as a pit bull. I'm trying to get this out to as many people as I can. please contact me, humansafety1st@msn.com

Dog Lover | 2/02/2008 12:34 PM | FlagDavid, the person behind that group is Cherie Graves...please read the story at the top of the blog, "The Mystery Of Dogsbite.org." She is a back yard breeder of pit bulls, and a very scary individual....she is part of the lunatic fringe of the pro-pit movement.

She named you in an attempt to threaten and intimidate you.....that's what she does.

David | 2/02/2008 3:16 PM | Flagdog lover, the letter came from Illinios Director, Elizabeth Pensgard, she must think that we in Indiana are not able to see what's going on. By the way I'm the director of the Wabash Indiana chapter of the group, "Human Safety First". est. Jan.5, 2008. I'm the founder, the president, and I'm self appointed. I guess you can see where I'm going with this, If they can do it so can I. David